Jewish Funerals

Jewish funerals are not too dissimilar to Christian funerals. The following information is expanded on the Jewish lifestyle website My Jewish Learning:

- Jewish funerals usually take place within 3 days after the death of the person.

- Attendees should dress appropriately. Both men and women should wear black clothes. Men usually wear suits and women wear full-length dresses. Jewish men also wear a yarmulke (skull cap) and women wear some sort of hat or shawl.

- Do not greet all the other mourners. It is acceptable to acknowledge other mourners, but going around shaking hands and socializing is not ideal.

- Talk softly and avoid expressive hand gestures.

- Participate in the service by following the rabbis instructions and say ‘Amen’ at the right times.

- Make a note of the time and place of the shiva. The shiva is the place and time when to mourners stay at home and receive visitors.

- When at the graveside participate in the ritual by responding at the appropriate times.

- At the end of the service the coffin will be lowered into the grave and friends will be invited to place a handful of dirt in the grave.

- Offer your condolences to the family and then form 2 rows with the other mourners. As they pass by say "Ha-Makom yenahem etkhem b'tokh sha ar aveilei Tzion vYerushalayim” which is an ancient consolation.

- Before leaving the cemetery wash your hands.

This should provide you with a basic idea of what Jewish funerals are like hopefully prevent any misunderstandings.